Estrin, Birchwood, Mat D, 44's

Thursday, June 19, 6-9 p.m. The 21st Saloon has the great Rick Estrin & The Nightcats plus newcomers Selwyn Birchwood Band. Rick Estrin is a harmonica giant, acclaimed songwriter, engaging vocalist and Blues Music Award winner. He now leads the Nightcats that he formerly co-fronted with Little Charlie Baty. The Nightcats backing Estrin are phenomenal guitarist Chris “Kid” Andersen, plus longtime members J. Hansen (drums) and Lorenzo Farrell (electric and acoustic bass, organ and Moog synthesizer). Their first live CD, You Asked For It--Live! (Alligator) is due out July 8. See rickestrin.com. Selwyn Birchwood Band’s debut disc on Alligator, Don’t Call No Ambulance, dropped June 10. The two bands are also at Lincoln’s Zoo bar Wednesday, June 18, 6-9 p.m.

PWF Thursdays & 21st Tuesdays

Because Playing With Fire hits Midtown Crossing Thursday, June 26 & July 3, The 21st Saloon moves the blues shows to Tuesdays for those dates. Tuesday, June 24, L.A.’s dynamic roots-blues band The 44’s rev up their harmonica and guitar-driven sound. See the44sbluesband.com.

On July 1, The 21st presents The Chris O’Leary Band. Both Tuesday shows are 6-9 p.m.

See playingwithfireomaha.net for more on the two PWF gigs, music starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26, it’s Hector Anchondo, The 9’s and Canadian Juno Award Winners Jonas & The Massive Attraction.

Sioux City’s Mat D & The Profane Saints has garnered a lot of national attention with his excellent 2013 disc, Holyoke. Mat D, aka Mathew deRiso, has great songwriting chops, a big voice and an impassioned presence. “It is hard to sum up so many great stories, strong images, tight arrangements and moments of soaring artistry in a few words, but it is certainly worth a try. Holyoke is what Americana music should be. This is the way hard work sounds when you just let go and let it howl," raves Jim Pipkin, contributor to No Depression and The Empty Bottles & Broken Souls music blogs. See reviews and hear tracks from Holyoke at matdandtheprofanesaints.com.